A few issues ago in FHB there was an article on Panelized Wall Construction. I can’t seem to find any firms that manufacture the panels when I do a Google search. I get plenty of manufactured housing and SIP sites but I’m only interested in wall panels right now. Anyone know any companys that specialize in panels?? I’m in Jersey so as far as transportation goes, anywhere east of the Mississippi and up into Canada would probably work.
Also, any feedback on actually using this type of construction would be much appreciated.
Replies
oak,
A friend of mine works for these guys. They do panelized walls. I have been talking to him about them for a new house. They have been around for a while, they did the trusses for my detached garage close to 20 years ago. Don't know what thier delivery area is, depending on what part of Jousey you are in its at least 150 miles.
http://www.chopp-trusses.com/
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
Thanks MrBill. I tried the web site but its under const. I'll try giving them a call
There have been several discussions here about wall panels. Try using the advanced search for "wall panels" and you should get several hits.
The WTCA has a membership listing of truss manufacturrers here:
http://www.woodtruss.com/projects/woodtruss/membership/memberlist.php
Many truss plants also make wall panels. But you'll have to call and ask to be sure.
I'd definitely look for a plant near you - Not "anywhere east of the Mississippi" as you said. Shipping costs can be quite high over long distances. And wall panels don't stand up well to long trips bouncing around on a trailer.
A: Marry her.
Thanks Boss-Man,
That site definitely helps out. You're right, transportation costs are high; but not nearly as expensive as our local labor (if you can find a crew).
BTW, interesting info. Our project is in the Somerset/Hunterdon county market in Jersey, and if you drive through other larger projects here a good 30% to 40% of the subs trucks are from Pa. This is up from 20% to 30% last year. The metro areas like ours, especially with unions, are having a rude awakening that there are very talented craftsmen from "out-in-the-sticks" willing to travel an hour+ to a job site to make 25% more than back home. And even with hat premium, they are still lower then our local prevailing wage.
Damn it!! We need to get the Minute-Men from Arizona on the shores of the Deleware River to keep these carpet-baggers out.
We had Foard Panel enclose our timberframe. They are located in southern vermont. They do "curtainwall" and structural panels. Our curtainwalls are OSB exterior, 3-1/2" urethane foam insulation and blueboard interior. There is some deflection in the longer spans. Structural is what it sounds. The crew they sent to do the work was great! So was the customer support, and they had a good website 2 years ago. I think just http://www.foardpanel.com They were also a good resource for a roofer.
We used Lowen windows, which I love, but they are very heavy. The patio doors compressed the foam in the hinge side so I had to rehang. Some of the windows are racked now because one side compressed more than the other. I did the window/door install with two helpers and know it was done right. When I saw one of the Foard reps at a trade show a year later he said they were changing the way the panels were framed at the window and door openings.
Panels scare lots of plumbers and electicians (as do timberframes!) I thought through the design to the point of nuerosis, but when he was done with the rough the plumber told me it was as easy as a stickframe to plumb (but we didn't get a rebate-LOL!)
WE were required to put in an HRV system to maintain our warranty. At Foard's recommenatiion I also put tarpaper and homeslicker on the exterior before I put on (our choice)cedar shingle siding. Those were all predipped by us. We should have just bought them pre-stained. It took 1 gallon of stain ($20+/- ea) to stain 1 bundle of shingles by dipping method. We did 108 bundles! Try to get 108 gallons of stain to come out the same color when it's not all mixed at the same time.DH says "I'd never do another paneled timberframe!" But he's kind of a cranky dinosaur. I'll know better when the house is done and I have time to enjoy it!
Best of luck with your project.
Thanks Bing!
What did you mean by "the hinge side was compressed so you had to rehang doors"?
Boy, you have the patience of a saint to hand dip 108 bundles of shingles!
The hinge side of a door is where the weight is. The threshold was on a 2X4 on the flat that was screwed into the OSB and blueboard, and set into a 1-1/2" deep trough in the foam. All the panel edges were treated this way, including all 4 sides of any windo and door openings. When the doors were hung they were DN level, but after only a couple days the hinge side was running downhill. Make sense now? Doors were easy enough to rehang, but the windows...
I think a better way to handle the doors and windows ould have been to scoop out 3-1/2", or maybe 5-1/2" of foam and put the 2X's on edge with a 1/2" piece of foam in between, then run subfloor over. Yes, there's cold transference, but a door or window out of square probably leaks worse.
My husband did most of the dipping, and he's not a patient man! It was a good experience for him though, kind of Zen. And the house sure is looking nice!
Not sure if they are still around, used to be in Hudson Falls, NY, but........Try "Northern Design and Building" (518) 747-2200. Did work w/ them years ago, nice guys.
These guys are in central PA but I think they ship throughout the east.
http://www.foresthomes.com/
Todd
Here's another one in central PA. Allensville Planing Mill.
http://www.apm-inc.net
Greg Werner- Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
Oakster,
Up here in Central New York, Barden Homes (bardenhomes.com) does a lot of panellized construction. I haven't worked with them personally, but they seem to be rather popular. They're located in Preble, NY, so not to far from NJ.
Good Luck.
Harvest Homes is a panelizer.
Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY